Dispensing Container with Handle Means

ABSTRACT

Improved dispensing containers of the invention comprise a container part having a cavity adapted for containing a plurality of preimpregnated treatment wipes, preferably wherein the said wipes are a roll of treatment wipe articles which can be separated by a consumer prior to use, a cap through which one or more of the treatment wipes can be dispensed by being withdrawn from the cavity were the cap or part thereof is optionally but preferably resealable, and further wherein the dispensing container comprises at least one handle means. The handle means preferably depends from a part of the container, such as the container part, the cap, or both or alternately can be integrally formed as part of the container part, the cap, or both. The handle means may operate to provide an element which can facilitate the grip of the dispensing container and/or retention of the dispensing container by the hand or hands of a consumer holding, or otherwise retaining the container in the close proximity of a consumer utilizing the dispensing container during a surface treatment operation. The handle means may also operate to retain a connecting means.

The present invention relates to improvements in containers. More specifically the present invention relates to improved dispensing containers adapted to hold and to dispense sheet-like articles, especially treatment wipes.

Treatment wipes which comprise substrate, typically a fibrous substrate or other flexible substrate material which are preimpregnated with a quantity of a surface treatment composition are well known. Such are popular and in widespread commercial use. The nature of the treatment compositions vary widely, and include for example hard surface treatment compositions, disinfecting or sanitizing compositions, furniture polish compositions, window cleaning compositions, as well as many more. Such treatment wipes are popular as they are particularly convenient from a consumer perspective. Use of a treatment wipe provides for a clean substrate which is predosed or preimpregnated with an appropriate amount of the treatment composition which is utilized by a consumer for (typically) a single surface treatment operation. The treatment wipe is used to simultaneously dispense the treatment composition to a hard surface or other surface in need of treatment, optionally can be used to abrade or “scrub” the surface being treated, and simultaneously any released soils are typically at least partially absorbed into or adsorbed onto the treatment wipe. After the treatment operation, the treatment wipe is typically disposed of by the consumer. In the next operation, a new treatment wipe is used for the succeeding surface treatment operation. Such use is popular as it negates the need for requiring both a separate wiping article, and a separate treatment composition supplied by a flask, bottle, aerosol canister, and the like. Furthermore, the use of a new treatment wipe ensures that potential resoiling, such as by use of a dirty or already soiled treatment applicator, e.g., wipe, sponge, pad and the like is avoided. Further, such preimpregnated treatment wipes are conveniently stored between uses. Typically, plurality of treatment wipes, such as a web of an appropriate substrate which is preimpregnated with a surface treatment composition are typically provided within a resealable dispensing container either as a plurality of single treatment wipes, or as a roll of treatment wipe articles which can be separated by a consumer prior to use. For surface treatment applications, a preferred format is to provide a roll of treatment wipe articles which can be separated by a consumer prior to use which roll is typically provided in a cylindrical dispensing container having an opening at one end, which is spanned by a (typically) resealable cap through which the treatment wipes may be pulled and dispensed. Between uses, the cap may be closed or sealed to avoid premature volatilization or drying out of the preimpregnated treatment wipes.

While such dispensing containers are satisfactory and in widespread use, they suffer from several shortcomings. A primary shortcoming is that typically, the diameter of the dispensing container is difficult to hold for smaller hands. Furthermore, as such dispensing containers are typically also formed of a polyolefin material, which has inherent lubricating properties, a consumer utilizing a preimpregnated treatment wipe typically has moist or wet hands which provide a poor gripping surface and which poor grip is exacerbated by the polyolefin material which undesirably causes the dispensing container to easily slip and fall out of a consumer's hands. Furthermore, these problems are exaggerated with larger and/or heavier dispensing containers which are used to store and dispense larger quantities of treatment wipes. This is due to the fact that with increasing internal volume required to contain a larger number of treatment wipes, the exterior dimensions and in particular the diameter of such dispensing containers increases proportionately. Larger or “economy sized” dispensing containers may have a diameter in excess of 4, 5 or 6 inches making them virtually impossible to securely grip in one hand by most consumers.

These and other shortcomings known to the art are overcome by the improved dispensing containers according to the present invention. The improved dispensing containers of the invention comprise a container part having a cavity adapted for containing a plurality of preimpregnated treatment wipes, preferably wherein the said wipes are roll or other plurality of treatment wipe articles which can be dispensed or separated by a consumer prior to use, a cap through which one or more of the treatment wipes can be dispensed by being withdrawn from the cavity where the cap or part thereof is optionally but preferably resealable, and further wherein the dispensing container comprises at least one handle (or gripping) means. The handle means preferably depends from a part of the container, such as the container part, the cap, or both or alternately can be integrally formed as part of the container part, the cap, or both. The handle means preferably extends outwardly from the container when the container is configured in an “open” configuration allowing for the withdrawal of the treatment wipes therefrom. The handle means may operate to provide an element which can facilitate the grip of the dispensing container and/or retention of the dispensing container by the hand or hands of a consumer holding, or otherwise retaining the container in the close proximity of a consumer utilizing the dispensing container during a surface treatment operation, e.g., such as by suspending the container. The handle means may also operate to retain a connecting means, such as a lanyard, cord, string, rope, clip, buckle, band, belt, and the like which can be used to removably connect the dispensing container to a body part of the consumer (e.g., a wrist strap, a lanyard, etc.) or to a part of the consumer's clothing (e.g., a belt, a belt loop, a button, etc.) whereby the container can be suspended or supported via this connecting means retaining it within the immediate proximity of the consumer, but not requiring that the consumer hold or carry the dispensing container. The said connecting means can be provided by the consumer, or can be prepackaged with a dispensing container when the latter is sold to a consumer. Further, the said connecting means can be conveniently detached from the handle means of the dispensing container in between cleaning treatment operations and/or when the dispensing container is stored for a period of time between uses.

Advantageously such an improved dispensing container provides facilitates the transport and use of the dispensing container and the treatment wipes which are dispensed therefrom. The improved dispensing containers taught herein provided an added convenience benefit to a consumer, in that such a container may be carried or suspended by/from one hand of the consumer, permitting for the hand or part thereof to carry a further article, such as cleaning article or implement (e.g., brush, trigger-spray bottle, broom, sponge, and the like) thereby providing for a “hands-free” benefit whereby a consumers hand(s) are not primarily or solely engaged in gripping or carrying the dispensing container between uses.

Exemplary and preferred embodiments of the improved dispensing containers according to the present invention are illustrated in the following figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dispensing container 10 comprising a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 which includes a moveable lid 32 pivotable about a hinge 34. The dispensing container 10 further comprises a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the container part 20 and which is to be understood as being integrally formed therewith, are alternately affixed thereto. As visible, the bow-shaped handle means 50 in its cross section defines a generally circular opening 54, a part of which is coincident with a circumferential channel 22 extending around the upper periphery of the container part 20.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the dispensing container 10 of FIG. 1. As is visible in this further embodiment, there is provided as a connecting means 70 a length of cord 72 positioned partially within the circumferential channel 22, extending through the opening 54 and extending to an openable clip 74, which may be of the currently popular “carrabinier-type” of clip. In use, a consumer may open the openable clip 74 and loop it through an article of clothing, such as a belt or belt loop and thereby suspend the dispensing container 10 for any desired period of time, e.g., while the consumer is performing a surface treatment operation, or during a generalized cleaning process.

FIG. 3 depicts in a side view a still further embodiment of the dispensing container 10, including a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 and further having a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the container part 20. The elongated handle means 50 in its cross-section defines a generally elongated opening 54. Further shown as a connecting means 70 is an openable clip 74, which may be of the currently popular “carrabinier-type” of clip.

FIG. 4 in a side view illusrates a still further embodiment of the dispensing container 10, including a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 and further having a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the container part 20. In this embodiment, the handle means 50 is of an inverted “J” configuration and defines a hook. In use this form of the handle means may be used to conveniently and removably hook the dispensing container 10 to an article of clothing, such as a belt or belt loop, until it is desired to be removed.

FIG. 5 depicts in a side view a still further embodiment of the dispensing container 10, including a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 and further having a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the container part 20. The handle means 50 in its cross-section is generally circular and defines a generally circular opening 54 in conjunction with a corresponding recess 28 in the container part 20.

FIG. 6 depicts in a side view a still further embodiment of the dispensing container 10, including a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 and further having a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the container part 20. The handle means 50 in its cross-section is generally circular and defines a generally circular opening 54 in conjunction with a circumferential channel 22 extending around the upper periphery of the container part 20.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depicts in two side views a still further embodiment of the dispensing container 10, including a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 and further having a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the container part 20. In the present embodiment the handle means 50 comprises a generally circular ring 56 affixed to a part of the cap 30 via an intermediate flexible connector or hinge 57, e.g., a polymeric “living-hinge” which ring 56 defines a generally “D”-shaped opening 54 passing therethrough.

FIG. 8A illustrates a still further embodiment of a dispensing container 10, including a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30. The handle means 50 is provided by a hoop element 60 which is positioned beneath the cap 30 and encircles a part of the container part 20. As illustrated on FIG. 8B, in which depicts a plan view of the hoop element 60, said hoop element 60 comprises a hoop part 62 defining a hoop opening 64 which has a dimension permitting it to be positioned as illustrated on FIG. 8A, and having extending outwardly from the hoop part 62 a handle means 50 having a generally elongate opening 54 passing therethrough.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate in two side views a further embodiment of a dispensing container 10 comprising a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 and further having a “J”-shaped handle means 50 in the form of a hook-handle 55 extending outwardly from the container cap 30 and extending downwardly and parallel to the container part 20. The 30 further includes a hinged lid 32 which allows for access to the interior of the container.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate a further embodiment of a dispensing container 10 as well as details concerning the cap 30 and handle means 50 thereof The cap 30 includes in its construction both a hinged lid 32 affixed to the cap 30 via an intermediate hinge 34, as well as a generally circular ring 56 also affixed to a part of the cap 30 via the intermediate hinge 34, which ring 56 defines a generally “D”-shaped opening 54 passing therethrough. The cap 30 also includes an access port 58 through which one or more treatment wipes (now shown) may be withdrawn from the container part 20 when the hinged lid 32 is opened. The ring 56 may be operated and hinged away from the cap, as illustrated on FIG. 10A without requiring that the lid 32 be opened. The embodiment of the cap 30 according to these figures depicts a configuration wherein the lid 32 includes regions in which the ring 56 may be nested, to permit for selective deployment of the ring 56 or lid 32 or both, as may be desired by a consumer.

FIGS. 11A and 11B respectively illustrates a perspective view and a side view of a yet further embodiment of a dispensing container 10 comprising a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 having a lid 32 connected by a hinge 34, further including a foldable “J”-shaped handle means 50 in the form of a hook-handle 55 which depends from the container cap 30 by means of second hinge 35, which is diametrically opposed to the hinge 34. The hinge 34 permits for the opening of the lid 32 in a direction away from the hook-handle 55 and thus reducing the physical interference of the lid 32 and the hook-handle 55 and providing easier access for withdrawing a treatment wipe from the container part 20. The foldable hook-handle 35 may be pivoted or rotated about the second hinge 35 if desired. While not shown, it is foreseen that one or more interlocking tabs or detents, or other mechanical or friction-tight fitting means in as part of the foldable hook-handle 35 second hinge 35 or container cap 30 whereby consumer may establish a specific orientation on the foldable hook-handle 55 relative to the container part 20.

FIG. 12 illustrates in perspective, exploded view a further embodiment of a dispensing container 10 according to invention. The dispensing container 10, includes a cylindrical container part 20 sealed by an openable cap 30 having a lid 32 connected by hinge 34 which permits for the lid 32 to be folded upon and onto the top of the openable 30. An extending tab element 33 depending from and extending outwardly from the lid 32 is also present and, in the embodiment shown the tab element 33 is diametrically opposed to the location of the hinge 34. Providing such a tab element 33 facilitates the opening of the lid 32 by simplifying the manner in which it can be pulled away from the top of the openable cap 30. The handle means 50 is provided by a generally circular hook 63 which extends outwardly from and depends from a hoop element 60 which is positioned beneath the cap 30 and encircles a part of the container part 20. When the dispensing container 10 is assembled, one or more wipes (not shown) are positioned within the interior (cavity) of the cylindrical container part 30, and thereafter the hoop element 60 is mounted upon the container part 20, and thereafter mounted to the container part 20 is the openable cap 30 which is held in place by suitable means, e.g., an interlocking snap-ring, adhesive, mating threads, which provide for engagement between the openable cap 30 and the cylindrical container part 20. Advantageously, the mounted openable cap 30 upon the cylindrical container part 30 traps the hoop element 60 therebetween. The hoop element 60 may be movable, such as rotatable about the cylindrical container part 20, or may be retained in a fixed position relative to the cylindrical container part 20 and/or the openable 30.

FIG. 12A depicts a top plan view of the openable cap 30 and the hoop element 60 of FIG. 12. In this figure, the lid 32 is unfolded and extends away from the access port 58 present within the openable cap 30. The hoop element 60 is positioned beneath the openable cap 30, and includes as a handle means 50 extending outwardly from the hoop part 62 which handle means 50 is in the form of a generally circular hook 63 as shown in the figure. The generally circular hook 63 has a nearly completely unbroken circumference 66 which includes one gap 67 which permits for the insertion or removal of a further element, such as perhaps a loop or ring and/or permits for the insertion through the gap 67 of the generally circular hook 63 of a supporting member, such as a peg, so to permit for the dispensing container 10 to be suspended from a suitable support.

It is to be understood that although not necessarily shown, a connecting means 70 and optionally, an openable clip 74, may be used with any embodiment of at the dispensing container 10. 

1. An improved dispensing container adapted for storing and dispensing one or more treatment wipes, comprising: a container part adapted to storing said one or more treatment wipes ; a cap through which one or more of the treatment wipes can be dispensed by being withdrawn from the cavity were the cap or part thereof is optionally resealable; and a handle means.
 2. A dispensing container according to claim 1, further comprising: a connecting means.
 3. A dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein the said cap or part thereof is resealable. 